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Learning to read
By ALISON ANIS
It would seem like a
difficult task trying to teach a group of illiterate women
between the ages of 40 and 60 the basic rule of reading but for
an experienced nurse like Rose Hagayo from Lufa, Eastern
Higlands province 'it is something from the heart.'
For two years Rose has been quietly running community literacy
awareness program for women in her community at her backyard at
Morata 1 in Port Moresby with help from her younger sibling
Boski Joe who teaches part of the class.
A hardworking nurse at the Port Moresby General Hospital Rose
dedicates her free time on Tuesdays to tutoring a class of 48
illiterate women in the community who would normally be working
in their food gardens or selling greens and veggies at the
markets.
Now a whole new world has opened up for the group of mothers
mainly from Goroka, Eastern Highlands province.
They not only know how to read but have also acquired the basic
knowledge of health and hygiene, cooking and how to budget their
hard-earned cash.
"I want this to be the main highlight for our illiterate mothers
living in the city and something to take with them when they
return to their homes," Rose who initiated the idea in 2005
said.
Each Tuesdays from 9am to 1pm the women learn the alphabet and
the pronunciation of its letters in the alphabet.
A devotion is held each morning before class with readings from
the bible followed by a closing prayer and hymn at the end of
class.
"We give out handouts with words for them to study at home and
familiarize themselves with each word," Rose said.
She said the women who have attended the program for sometime
and already know how to read were given bible verses to read
through and memorize, then are called to share with others from
memory.
"We have seen very good results and are happy with that, the
women are very keen and are learning fast."
Some times Rose would bring home from work medical kits or
medicines and instruct each women on how and why it is important
to take dozes, other times she would teach them how to stay fit
and healthy and what food was good for them and their kids.
Rose also introduced cooking classes upon the request from the
mothers. She took them for them theory and practical sessions
and some of their skills were applied during fundraising days
for the community.
"On two separate occasions, I brought home a doctor and an
accountant to speak to the mothers and they were very responsive
after that."
She said women, started working less in their gardens giving
their bodies enough rest for day and they looked healthier than
before after following advice from the doctor.
"The number of our women in the community visiting the clinics
or medical centre also decline progressively as a result," Rose
said adding they hope to see more women given the opportunity to
change their lives for better.
The idea of having illiteracy class evolved when Rose met with
six women from the community for their usual bible study nights.
It was during on of those nights that the women expressed their
desire to read.
"The women felt hearing the word of God was not enough and
wanted read and see for themselves what is was like. Some of
them said they could hear but not understand most of the word."
As a result she started the Daginava Illiteracy School with the
support of the men in the community.
"As we progressed with our lessons the word went out and more
and more women wanted to join. Our numbers went up as result and
we decided to keep it down to just 18 people." But still more
mothers wanted to join in.
Rose decided to convert her backyard into a tutoring place for
the women classing them as first years and second year students.
A makeshift classroom, built out of pieces of timber was erected
two months ago to accommodate for the growing number of women.
During class time Rose would divide the class in two with her
using half of the building and brother Boski using the other
half and separated only by a piece of canvass. Prior to that,
the women were taught only in open area.
And while it may seem very hot inside the small building, the
mothers said they don't care as long as they know how to read so
to understand the 'word of God' better.
And now for the very first time a graduation ceremony is being
planned for November 6, (next month) and will see 15 mothers
from the total of 48 in the area pass out from the programme.
Among the list of invites are Governor for NCDC Powes Parkop,
re-elected Minister for Community Development Dame Carol Kidu
and the Minister for Culture and Tourism Charles Abel including
Opposition Leader Sir Mekere Morauta.
Rose is now in discussion with the people from the literacy
awareness project in Port Moresby including a local teacher on
how to take the programme to the next level, which is the
elementary of English. And how about writing? "Yes of course,
that is one thing we are considering at the moment but would
really appreciate it if there is some kind of financial help,"
Rose said.
Those willing to help can contact Rose Hagayo on her Mobile 692
9322 or at her workplace on 324 8250.
 
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